Book excerpt: The Wizard of Zao is a fantasy novel by Lin Carter, first published in 1978. The story is set in a mythical world and follows the adventures of a wizard named Zao and his companions. Zao embarks on a quest involving ancient powers and mystical realms, with Carter's signature blend of humor and adventure. The book is part of Carter's larger body of work known for drawing inspiration from classic fantasy tropes and his homage to authors like Robert E. Howard, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Lord Dunsany.